The mask has become our second skin. Since last May 21 the Ministry of Health announced its mandatory use for people over six years of age , it has become our star complement. It must be worn in closed public spaces and , in the majority of the Autonomous Communities, also outdoors . Failure to comply with this rule can lead to penalties of 100 euros.
Despite the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that masks are not indicated for healthy people, the Spanish authorities decided to implement these measures as they considered them important to stop the spread and protect the population at risk from people who have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections.
Dr. Carmen Jodar Casanova, a specialist in Family and Community Medicine and a member of Top Doctors, insists on the importance of getting used to wearing masks: "According to the seroprevalence study, only 5% of the population has contacted COVID-19. Although the percentage was somewhat higher, we are far from group immunity. We are going to become infected and we must stagger that contagion. All the measures we take to do so are few, so we will have to continue using the masks, especially in places where the proximity between citizens is inevitable. "
So far so good, but… which mask do you have to use at all times to avoid taking risks or endangering anyone? The Government, in the BOE where it communicates the new standard, advises to use a hygienic or surgical type mask. To clear up any doubts, we are going to see all types of masks and in which case the Ministry of Consumer Affairs recommends their use.
What mask do I use to go out, go to work or do the shopping?
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has published a manual in which the scientific community recommends the use of hygienic masks to all healthy people, who have not had contact with COVID-19. If you have not been exposed to the virus, you have not had symptoms and you are fine, you should use this model when you go out to walk, do the shopping or travel by public transport.
Surgical masks were also added to this category in the BOE . The doctor assures that they are the most recommended: "The function of the surgical mask is not to infect. I would recommend it for these situations."
Hygienic masks can be purchased in supermarkets or pharmacies, for example. They cover the mouth, nose and chin and are provided with a harness that can be wrapped around the head or attached to the ears. They are made up of one or more layers of textile material and can be reusable or single-use.
Its effectiveness is demonstrated for four hours. After this time it is recommended to replace it and replace it with a new one or, if it is not reusable, with another previously disinfected. In the event that it becomes damp or deteriorates before that period of time, it would be advisable to replace it with another.
If it is a reusable mask, you should carefully read the manufacturer's instructions on how to wash it and the maximum number of washes it allows.
Which one should I use if I get the disease?
If you have been infected, have symptoms or suspect that you may have contracted the disease, you should discard the hygienic ones and resort to surgical masks. This model is the one used in clinical settings. Limits the transmission of infectious agents because they are designed to filter exhaled air. Its mission is to protect those around the carrier by preventing the spread of the virus if she speaks, coughs or sneezes.
This type of mask must have a mechanism that allows it to fit well to the nose, mouth and chin. There are two types: Type I and Type II, according to their Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (EFB).
Like the hygienic ones, it is not recommended to use them for more than 4 hours.
You can find them in pharmacies and should be sold packaged.
How should I protect myself if I am caring for a patient?
Whether you work in a hospital caring for the sick or as a “nurse” for a family member you live with, you should use EPI (Individual Protective Equipment) masks. This type is recommended for people who are in contact with the virus and also for some vulnerable groups, but always under medical prescription.
They are teams that offer round-trip protection (both for the one who wears it and for the one in front of him). They are only sold in pharmacies and specialized establishments and serve to create a barrier between a potential risk and the user, filtering the inhaled air and preventing the entry of polluting particles into the body.
They can be of type FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 depending on the degree of protection they offer. The filters that contain against particles can also be of three types: P1, P2 and P3.
What model do I give the children?
If your child is between 3 and 12 years old and has not been in contact with COVID-19, you should put on a hygienic mask of his size. There are three sizes of masks, according to your age. From 13 years old, they can already resort to the same ones as adults.
Important: an adult must supervise their placement, as well as their use and removal. It is necessary to avoid that the little ones put their hand to their face and touch the mask to eliminate any risk of contagion.
In which category do the fabric ones fall? Do they protect the same?
Cloth masks belong to the category of hygienic masks, which you can use if you do not have the disease or have not been in contact with it.
Regarding its effectiveness, it depends on the fabric used. "If they are made with normal fabric they do not protect, but there are fabrics that do offer guarantees, such as non-woven fabric (TNT), which is the same as surgical masks" -explains Dr. Jodar Casanova- "If it is made of fabric there is no other solution, we recommend a double layer and plastic or TNT material in the middle. This material that serves as a filter is usually found in diapers, compresses, panty liners and baby wipes ".
In any case, if you buy the mask, read the manufacturer's specifications to see what protection it offers. And be very careful with handmade masks! "As they have not passed the control of verifications or tests, their effectiveness cannot be guaranteed.
Should I use it for sports?
Following the Health instructions, if you are going to practice sports outdoors in a place where you can maintain a safe distance (2 meters), you are not required to wear a mask. However, according to the expert, it is highly recommended: "If we go alone through an isolated place or we are exercising in the countryside or areas with little influx of people it is not essential, but if we cannot respect it or we are accompanied, it is necessary." The recommended mask would be the hygienic one.
How should I put on the mask?
When putting on a mask, extreme hygiene measures must be taken to guarantee its effectiveness. This is what you should do, according to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs:
- Wash your hands for 40-60 seconds before handling it.
- Only touch the rubber bands of the mask.
- Put it over your nose and mouth, making sure that there are no large spaces between your face and the mask.
- Pass the rubber bands behind your ears.
- Pinch the nose clip to tighten the nose.
- Avoid touching the outside of the mask. If you do, wash your hands before and after.
- Before removing your mask, wash your hands.
- Remove it by touching only the rubber bands.
- To dispose of it, put it in a plastic bag. Put it closed in the trash and wash your hands.
If my mask is reusable, how should I disinfect it?
Reusable masks must carry this specification on their packaging. The manufacturer must advise of this characteristic, as well as explain the washing and sanitizing instructions.
- Important. At no time do you turn the mask over to reuse it. This will not increase its effectiveness. Do not put it in the microwave with the intention of sanitizing it. In addition to the lack of conclusive data on its effectiveness, the mask may have a metal strip for nasal adjustment and it may be dangerous to microwave it.
How do I know that my mask is approved?
The Ministry of Consumption recommends reading the labeling well. It is important to check that it includes the CE marking, followed by four digits, an inscription that certifies that the product complies with the legislation.
It should also include details about the reference to the UNE standard, which ensures compliance with a quality standard.
On the label you will also find information regarding the reuse of the masks, how many uses it allows and how many washes can be done without the product suffering.
